wrench prices!

gilberte · #1 07/26/05, 06:12 AM

Anyone bought any hand tools lately? I had to have an 18mm, 1/2" drive, deep, impact socket yesterday, $15.00 at Napa which was the only place I could find one. Talk about sticker shock! I asked the fella behind the counter to recheck the price to make sure it was right, it was. Seems prices are out-a-sight and climbing.

lgslgs · #2 07/26/05, 07:09 AM

We've just started doing our own car oil changes. Had to buy a wrench that fit for the drain plug for $16.25 (includes sales tax) at the local harware store.

We did better with the 3/8 ratchet driver. They had half a dozen to choose from at Walmart ranging from $14.95 to $24.95. The also had one cheap one for $3.95, and for the jobs we are going to need it for the cheap one will be sufficient so we bought it.

We will occasionally buy really cheap tools at Big Lots if they will do the job and we aren't going to need to rely on them for heavy use for a long time.

Our biggest sticker shock for purchases lately was for disposable men's stick shaving razors. Boy do they have the consumer over the barrel for those, even if you ration them out like a tightwad! We find that a lot of the products that you need for daily use (men's razors, toilet paper, etc.) seem to be designed and priced to chip away at your budget bit by bit.

Lynda

cfabe · #3 07/26/05, 07:55 AM

Good quality tools are expensive. Consider them an investment. That $15 socket probably saved you at least $50 on this one repair alone.

I would caution agianst buying really cheap tools. The quality is just really poor. You may say "well for this job it will be fine" which may be true, but you'll hang on to the tool and eventually it's going to break on you in the middle of a repair at midnight sunday night and you'll be stuck until monday. I've been through my share of cheap tools, and have found that it's usually best to just pony up some money and buy at least medium-quality stuff. If the money is tight, then buy just the tools you need instead of a complete set, shop for used tools or see if you can borrow them from someone.

gilberte · #4 07/26/05, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfabe

Good quality tools are expensive. Consider them an investment. That $15 socket probably saved you at least $50 on this one repair alone.

I would caution agianst buying really cheap tools. The quality is just really poor. You may say "well for this job it will be fine" which may be true, but you'll hang on to the tool and eventually it's going to break on you in the middle of a repair at midnight sunday night and you'll be stuck until monday. I've been through my share of cheap tools, and have found that it's usually best to just pony up some money and buy at least medium-quality stuff. If the money is tight, then buy just the tools you need instead of a complete set, shop for used tools or see if you can borrow them from someone.

You're absolutely right, been there, done that, got the bruised knuckles to prove it. No cheap tools for me, good tools at a good price I'll take though. I do keep the cheap tools I bought before I learned this lesson, they're great for lending to my brother-in-law.

farminghandyman · #5 07/26/05, 08:48 AM

there are a number of tool qualities,

( I realize there will be discussion on if I categorized the brands correctly),

Snap-on, proto, MAC, Cornwell, Sk etc, (even in this group there is a fair spread of cost),
example a 250 good basic set of tools in this range will sockets in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2"drive and open box end wrenches both english and metric, cost you, in the $2000 to $4000 range,

then you have there mid prices, (mid quality)
black hawk, Sears, Ace, Crescent, Gear wrench, other private label brands, and the sub brands, $300 to $1500, some have more discounts on sale, (there seems to be a large range of price and quality, in this range, some is nearly true pro quality and some is nearly the low end).
(most of this group is not usa made), (shopping in this range can spread quality and price considerable).

then you have the cheap O stuff, and it is usually priced accordingly, very poor fit and finish, and usually not good materials in the making of the tools. (NORMALLY stay away from this stuff)

Cosmic · #6 07/26/05, 08:56 AM

Cheap garbage tools are usually a bad buy.

The good names are Craftsman, Proto, Snap-On, Rigid and a few others. Craftsman on sale is one way to get them fairly reasonable. Stay away from auto parts stores they will always nick you bad. Sears also now makes a down grade with the Sears stamp, about Craftsman grade but without the lifetime warranty.

One good yeoman grade of tools is the Pittsburgh brand via Harbor Freight.

www.harborfreight.com

Their cresent wrenches, vice grips, spring clamps, files, some wrenches and socket sets are very serviceable for the money. Their nutdrivers and most screwdrivers tend to be trash, along with punches. Stay away from most tools with a cutting edge like chisels, etc. Must buy very carefully and best to try to get it on sale. Same with their power tools.

Good place to get sandpapers, cutting disks, circular saw blades. Most of their other cutting blades are garbage.

In the New England area; Building #19 is a prime discount chain of stores with super good prices, even on tools. They buy bulk any thing they can find that is being liquidated, sell it at super low prices. Excellent for razor blades, hope I bought a lifetime supply. You can't count of them having any particular item, just what they were able to find cheap. The good stuff sells out very quickly. I got a lifetime supply of the new energy saver lite bulbs that Home Ripoff and Not-So-Lowes are selling for like $15-18 each for 49 cents each.

Quint · #7 07/26/05, 10:27 AM

I had quite a few tools walk off in the past couple of years and was getting pretty lean in the tool department. I picked up a pretty nice set from Sears a while back:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...&bidsite=CRAFT

I don't think I paid quite that much for mine however. The easy to read sockets are quite nice. The gear wrenches I thought were nothing more than a gimmick but I love the things.

I have some snap-on and mac tools but the last time the tool trucks came by I priced some sets but they seemed terribly high. Maybe if I worked for a car dealership or had a company buying them for me but they're just a little too rich for my blood these days. The craftsman tools are fine for me. If they break (which very very rarely happens) they give me a new tool no questions asked.

Like Cosmic said, look for the sales on craftsman stuff. I would always take advantage of their half price sales. All those 40 dollar tools you get for 20 bucks begin to add up after a while. Oh, and buy the polished ratchets and wrenches if you can. They clean up easier and just plain "feel" better to me.

I've got some Harbor Freight hand tools. One set was actually pretty decent. I keep it for people who come to ask to borrow tools. My loaner stuff is all chinese junk. I've got harbor freight's 18 volt drill driver/sawzall/circular saw etc and I'm really pleased with them especially for the price. I've had good luck with most of their power tools.

cfabe · #8 07/26/05, 10:40 AM

The harbor freight stuff does seem to be hit or miss. I've gotten some decent stuff and some absolute junk.

Craftsman in general is pretty good. Their sockets will break if you over stress them (like putting a big pipe on the breaker bar) and their ratchets wear out, espicially if you use them hard. Never broken one of their wrenches. All the hand tools stuff is still lifetime replacement at any sears store, except ratchets now they just give you a rebuild kit instead of replacing it. And their click-type torque wrenches only have a 1-year warranty, for some reason. For the price, and ease of warranty replacements, hard to beat.

Oh and those ratcheting wrenches, they might seem like a gimmick but dang they really have come in handy for me a few times when there is a bolt that I can't get enough of a turn on to use a normal wrench, and can't get a socket on.

DrippingSprings · #9 07/26/05, 10:41 AM

Being in automotive industry most of my life and my father was a mechanic and worked at Porsche/Audi we use nothing but snap-on. Last time I did inventory for insurance reasons over the last 18 years I have accumilated about 40,000 dollars in tools. My three snap-on boxs(empty) are worth about 14,000. Wouldnt have anything else.

Jolly · #10 07/26/05, 10:57 AM

Harbor Freight offers a line of 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" drive socket sets, in both metric and SAE, boxed in their own metal boxes for $79.95 - that seems to be the oft occuring sales price.

The ratchets are warranteed for life, but are easy to break under rough use. The sockets, though, are good.

A local municipality has had this set on all their wasterwater, and water department trucks for almost 5 years. They've held up well...

chriswicks · #11 07/26/05, 11:05 AM

I believe that the cheap tools are the way to go. I mainly buy tools from harborfrieght because you are at least paying a cheap price and get a lifetime warrenty. Craftsman toos are no better than the stuff in harborfrieght and cost quite a bit more. Also at the prices harborfrieght charges you can keep a back-up on hand.

I hear alot of people complain about busting tools and I wonder what are you doing to it? If you treat your tools with respect and don't use them for other than intended you should have no problems. If you are breaking wrenches and sockets than maybe you should try using a torch to heat help you free up the item you are trying to loosen

skruzich · #12 07/26/05, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gilberte

You're absolutely right, been there, done that, got the bruised knuckles to prove it. No cheap tools for me, good tools at a good price I'll take though. I do keep the cheap tools I bought before I learned this lesson, they're great for lending to my brother-in-law.

WEll i can say good tools are preferred but I have broken many good tools just like the cheap ones. I know i have broken several 1/2" sockets on bolts that i put half a can of pb blaster on, and these were snapon tools. Craftsman tools break too but the difference between craftsman and snapon are I can go up town and get another craftsman that day. Snapon i have to wait til the man comes around.

I keep a cheap set of sockets in each vehicle for emergency repairs. My good tools are in my shop locked up. If i need to get the good tools out its going to be for more than changing a belt or battery in the car.

skruzich · #13 07/26/05, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriswicks

I believe that the cheap tools are the way to go. I mainly buy tools from harborfrieght because you are at least paying a cheap price and get a lifetime warrenty. Craftsman toos are no better than the stuff in harborfrieght and cost quite a bit more. Also at the prices harborfrieght charges you can keep a back-up on hand.

I hear alot of people complain about busting tools and I wonder what are you doing to it? If you treat your tools with respect and don't use them for other than intended you should have no problems. If you are breaking wrenches and sockets than maybe you should try using a torch to heat help you free up the item you are trying to loosen

Well there are some places you would be a fool to use a torch! Like working on a propane tank!

DrippingSprings · #14 07/26/05, 12:21 PM

where i worked they used to sell blackhawk and sk etc. I myself have never busted or broke a good quality made tool. But my experience is that too many people think they can take a ratchet or a combo wrench and stick a 3 ft cheater bar on it and think they wont break it. i aint no little feller. Im pretty good sized and I can grab a wrench in one hand and a fender etc in the other and pull perty hard with my body and its weight. I never broke one that way but these lil 150 lb guys wanted me to believe they were just using one hand and the ratchet just stripped out. YEAH RIGHT. Look at the handle and there are the cheater bar marks lol

Oxankle · #15 07/26/05, 01:49 PM

Yeah, Me Too:

I weighed l65 pounds most of my life. The only ratchet I ever stripped out was 20-odd years old when stripped, and Sears gave me a new one.

I broke one of their 1/2 inch breakover bars too. To do that I had to put a 3 foot cheater on it and then jump on the cheater. Had I found my hammer wrench first (before the days of the air tool) I'd not have ruined the breakover. All that was involved was removing the rear wheel on a VW.
Ox

Janon · #16 07/26/05, 03:59 PM

Every once in awhile, at garage sales, estate sales or auction - you can pick up some quality tools at about 1/4 of their retail price. The majority of my air tools, all my snap-on stuff, all my cabinets and benchs were from auction. I do like snap-on, but there is no way I'm paying those prices.

Cheap tools are very frustrating and can be downright dangerous. You usually do get what you pay for, up to a point where you're just paying for the name.

cheers,

Cosmic · #17 07/26/05, 06:42 PM

That Harbor Freight 3 x 21" belt sander (90045-1CBH) is like stealing if you can get it on sale. I paid like $19.95. Better than some selling for $130. I love the flat top, so you can lay it upside down and use it as a quick cheap bench sander / grinder by locking in the trigger and freeing both hands. Nice dust bag set up too.

If using the cheater pipe handles also be using the breaker bar. Remember if "It don't fit, don't force it. Get a bigger bar or hammer"

freeinalaska · #18 07/26/05, 07:02 PM

There's nothing like a good set of tools. I have a decent set of Snap-on at the home shop. For work, the electrical & telephone trade, I use nothing but Klein and Xcelite. Sure they cost, but are worth it.

However, I am quite fond of the $15, hundred and some piece, cheap as all get up, Walmart specials. I keep one in the house and one in each truck and I don't care if they get stolen or lost.

Ken Scharabok · #19 07/27/05, 06:12 PM

Check eBay. I've seen some very reasonable prices for high-quality tools.

farminghandyman · #20 07/27/05, 07:35 PM

buying tools is like buying any thing else,

you basicly get what you pay for,

if your making your living off your tools then you will probly want and "need" the best, easy quick replacment strong and quality and lasting ablity.

if your a frequent user the time you use a tool is much less, and the wear on them is less, lesser quality tools are fine, if you do break one and it takes a week or a month or two to get it replaced probaly not a big deal,

if you seldom use tools the cheap stuff is probly the ticket for you, (in many cases many in this catagroy would not know the diffrence of a good tool from a poor tool, many of the tools bought in this group will only be used a few mins. over a series of years, and to have some thing to get the job done once or twice is all one is looking for.

so the selection of tools bought is a personal decision,

there are tool lovers that polish there snapon tools ever night before they go to bed,
and there are others who could care less if there our in the rain in the mud as long as they can find them when they want to use them and it will turn a nut off the bolt and it doesnt you get a bigger hammer,

and there are those in the middle who want to have the equiptment that is needed when a problem arises, a good tool for a reasonable price that will do the job, and last and work for a reasonable time,

I have a range from Snap On to Harbor Frieght, and most is a determination on how it will be used and how much it will be used and it possiblity of being lost or stolen,
I try to buy the quality for the need I want to use it for,

but I will say i have spent a lot of money on replacing cheap tools with better over the years as well, as the cheap tools will wear out and break and bend or replacemnt parts are not able to get,

(replacement parts on many tools are becoming a thing of the past tho, as this disposable attitude is prevelent in most all areas), good or poor,

so buy according to your needs and pocket book, some times you get stuck with haveing to buy that $30 socket when a $12 on would probly do you but you have no place to buy it, and time doesn't allow you to mail order it in,
but have also been in the situation I would have sure liked to have bought better quality than was avable at the time as well.